Understanding the functions of the newly established Vanuatu Primary Producers Authority (VPPA) was the main objective of a two-day forum held recently on Tanna for TAFEA farmers. 

 50 farmers from Tanna, Aniwa, Aneityum, Futuna and Erromango who were on Tanna for the National Week of Agriculture, attended the TAFEA Farmer Provincial Forum.

They now know how VPPA can assist them with production and market, and the connection between other players along the production and market channel, such as the ministries of agriculture and trade.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of VPPA, Timothy Tumukon, said there are gaps in information flowing, product pricing and also organizational structure, if they (TAFEA farmers) want their voices heard. 

“One of the things that we have emphasized to them is that, they do not just grow crops and then try find market. Before growing the crops, we must first find the market, type and quantity of product required,” he said. 

 “Apart from educating farmers on the role of VPPA, we have also helped them to formulate recommendations specific to their needs.

 “Those recommendations will be taken to the national forum and VPPA Board, to decide on improvements.”

Chairman of VPPA) Board, Peter Napwatt, said: “The aim of the meeting is to promote the authority and to extend the message to farmers that VPPA was established to represent them and can make interventions on behalf of them when requesting government subsidies and other facilities. 

 “It is also important to connect with farmers, some of them doing great things not known in the public domain. Farmers in TAFEA faces challenges with production, prizing and consolidating resources to meet a supply demand.

 “The forum was rewarding for me, seeing farmers from Erromango in attendance. A lot of things at the production level have never been addressed seriously for the island, despite being one of the largest islands of Vanuatu.

 “Erromango has very little population with sufficient land to raise agricultural production compare to Tanna. It has more resources, both aquatic and dry land. It has all features of becoming a successful agricultural island.

“I want to see Erromango supplying food to the whole of Vanuatu in the next 10 years and be the hub of agricultural export.” 

 VPPA will be hosting another forum for SHEFA farmers next week. The first forum was held in Santo for farmers in SANMA Province.

Source: Daily Post